Electric switch



1,503,141 c. c. STIRLING ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 5 1921 Patented July 29, 1924.

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ELECTRIC swrrcrr.

Application filed January 5, 1921. seriai'ivo. 435,061.

To all whom it may mm:

Be it knownthat CLARENOE G. STIRLING, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'I-I'artford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches and more especially to a handle or knob thGI'GTOlK- While it is conceivable that the improvements are capable of general use in the art set forth,"they are of particular utility when employed; in connection with rotary snap-switches. A rotary snapswitch comprises a spindle which ismounted for turning movement and which is equipped with a handle or knob. These handles or knobs generally have a threaded connection with their spindles. As a consequence ofthis manner of assemblage, it becomes an easy matter to remove a handle by simplyunscrewing it. The fundamentalobject of the invention is to provide a handle or knob for a switch of'the kind set forth and which when it is in assembled relation and when turned in the proper manner will effect the action of the spindle and through the latter the switch mechanism but which has means of an effective and positive nature for positively'locking it against surreptitious removal but which when occasion requires, can be readily taken off.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification, I have shown in detail one of the several forms of embodiment of the invention which to en able those skilled in the art to practice the invention will be set forth fully in the following description. I am not restricted to this particular disclosure. I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claim following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary snap-switch equipped with a handle involving the invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the handle or knob. I H

:Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

I rotary snap-switch generally comprises a base as 2 usually ofsome lnsulating material. Rising from the base is a spindle 3 with which is customarily associated snap 'swltch mechanism such as that denoted in a general way by 4:, the switch mechanism being co-operatlve with contacts as 5 fixed on the base 2. The switch mechanism is housed in a metallic casing as 6 which has a slot 7 in its top by which the indexmember 8 fastened to the spindle 3 for rotation therewith, can be read. The index member has on its surface the words On and Off so that by glancing through the slot 7 the condition of the switch can be at once determined. The rotation of the spindle 3 brings about the desired action of the switch anechanism'. Y Associated with the spindle 3 or its equivalent is a handle or knob such as that denoted by'9 which is usually made of some "insulating material such as vulcanized rubber.

The upper end of the spindle 3 is externally threaded as is usual for the detachable connection therewith of-a sleeve or tube 10" which is situated in a chamber or or tubeextending'as shown a shortdistance below the body ofthe'handle or knob 9. The sleeve or tube'10 as represented has at its upper end an annular flange 12 which .bears as shown against the top of the cham spring 14 bears the rear end of the spring havin a bearing against the annular flange 12 and the spring acting constantly to ad- Vance the disk or washer 13 against the diametrically-opposite stops or shoulders 15 in the chamber or socket 11. Turning move ment of the washer or disk 13 is positively prevented, for instance by the diametricallyopposite keys 16 embedded in the stock of socket 11 in the handle or knob9, the sleeve the handle or knob 9 and extending almost entirely throughout the depth of the cham- 'ber or-:socket .11,the keysfittingdiametrically-opposite keyways or notches in the peripheral portion of the washer or disk 13. g The handle or knob 9 as shown has 7 extending depthwisethereof the pin 1'7,'this pin as willhereinafter appear being. capable of clutch connection with the spindle The pin 17 is held inplaee for instance; by a transverse key 18 and it. extends depthwise ofythe handle or knob '9, Its lower end portionis situatedwithin thesocket 0r chamber l1. and alsowithin the upper end ortion of the sleeve .or ,tubelO. As illustrated the pin 17 has at its lowerenda vfin or key .19 .co-operative' with a transverse groove or slot 20 in the upper end of the spindle 8. i

The manner of mounting the handle nor knob'9 is as follows. The upper-end of the spindle 3 will be engaged with the internal threads of the sleeve or tube 10 at which timethehandle or knob ;9'-wi1l be turned to the right until-the handle or knob :9 abuts against the casingb. Just about this time the clutch portion or fin 1-9 wi1l strike the slotted :endlof the spindle. The threaded .sur'faceof the spindle and sleeve or tube 10 certain jpitch, four backward movements of the button andthe simultaneous backward the spindle.

is capable when properly assembled with rotation thereof during each backward movement will be requisite to effect the removal of the button.

It will vbe clear from'the foregoing description taken in connection with the annexed drawings that I provide a button or handle'for the spindle of an electric switch that cannot be turned backward or taken from the spindle without retracting the button and turning it backward while it is in the retracted relation. struction shownitis necessary to retract the button or handle andturn it backward several times before it can be separated from The clutch button therefore the spindle of rotating it in one direction but isrigid with thespindle and there fore incapable of disengagement by'merely backward 'rotationbecause to separate it it In the conmust-be drawn back and at the same time reversely turned, several of these actions as I. have noted being necessary to effect its separation "from the spindle.

What I claim is:

A button :for the spindle of an. electric 7 swich, provided with a clutch portion in'the form of a fin-to engagethe slot on the switch spindle, and a coiled spring around the spindle acting to yieldingly lock the fin mit the'buttonto be freed from the spindle by the retraction and the backward ti 'of the button. 7 i a In'testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

7 CLARENCE c. sTIRLI G. Witnesses:

EnsmflM. RABENsTEIN, 'VHEATH SUTHERLAND.

into the slot to prevent backward motion of the button when'it is operatively connected with the spindle, said spring acting to per- 

